Although Mr Butcher and the Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning would not reveal what companies were involved, the Gladstone MP said there were a number of "well-known and reputable renewable energy developers" in the mix. "This level of interest is very encouraging and shows there's a big appetite out there for new, large-scale renewables projects to go alongside our existing energy mix," he said.

Mr Butcher said renewable energy was important to the state's economic future.

The project has the potential to put 450MW, enough to power 130,000 homes into the grid, given its location next to the Larcom Creek substation.

"Importantly, additional supply from these renewable power generators will really help to put downward pressure on wholesale electricity prices," Mr Butcher said.

Economic Development Queensland is conducting a two-stage competitive process to lease the 1248 hectare piece of land and will now consider the submissions. A decision on the preferred proponent is expected to be made by the end of the year, with construction design and engineering starting in early 2018.

Solar Power Gladstone owner/operator Murray Kay welcomed the news there were so many submissions.

However, he said there was a lot that needed to be taken into account to make the project a success.

"Storage is now going to be the next huge thing," he said. "If they are going to have a big farm like that then they will have to have some sort of storage."

Mr Kay said he believed solar would be the right option for the Aldoga site.

"We're almost on the Tropic of Capricorn which is the perfect place for solar," he said.